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A broken jaw injury can cause significant pain and suffering and require extensive recovery. It can substantially impact your life and restrict your ability to eat, drink or speak. In severe cases, it can permanently affect your health and lead to disfigurement.
Different incidents could result in a jaw fracture, including road traffic collisions, accidents at work, sports accidents and criminal assaults. If another party or entity was at least partially responsible for your accident, you might be eligible to start a broken jaw claim.
If you have decided to claim compensation for your broken jaw, do not hesitate to call 0800 678 1410 or use our online claim form to arrange a free consultation with a legal adviser. If they believe you have a fair chance of success, you will be offered a No Win No Fee service, so you can seek damages without taking any financial risks.
Am I eligible to claim compensation for a broken jaw?
The easiest way to determine whether you can make a broken jaw claim is through a free consultation with a legal adviser. As a general rule, you should be entitled to compensation if:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care
- They breached their duty by acting negligently
- Their negligence caused you to have an accident
- You suffered a jaw injury as a result in the last three years
If your solicitor believes your case has merit, they will offer you a No Win No Fee agreement and will guide you through the steps of the claims process. Collecting evidence to support your claim is essential to every compensation case. Based on your specific circumstances, this could be:
- Medical evidence like diagnostic tests and a copy of your medical notes from the doctor who treated you. These will help assess the type and extent of your injury and how it could affect your life long-term;
- Photographs or videos of the accident scene could be a great way to prove liability;
- Any CCTV footage that might have captured your accident, which your solicitor can secure on your behalf;
- If you were injured in a public place or at work, you should file an accident report with the responsible party to help prove the date and location of your accident;
- The names and contact details of anyone who saw how your accident occurred;
- A police report and reference number if you were the victim of a criminal assault.
Once you have all the necessary evidence, your solicitor will work out how much compensation for a broken jaw you should be entitled to receive. They will then contact the other party and inform them of your allegations of negligence and intentions to seek compensation. If liability is admitted, you can begin to negotiate a settlement. In the unlikely event you cannot settle your broken jaw claim, your solicitor will take your case to court.
Common accidents leading to a broken jaw claim
A broken jaw injury can occur due to various reasons, including:
These accidents are among the most common causes of jaw fractures, particularly in high-speed crashes. The impact of the collision can cause the jaw to break or fracture, often requiring surgical intervention and a lengthy recovery period. In some cases, a broken jaw may also be accompanied by other injuries, such as head trauma, neck injuries, or dental damage. If the accident was due to the negligence of another road user, you might be entitled to broken jaw compensation.
A broken jaw can occur in a workplace accident, especially in high-risk occupations like construction, mining or manufacturing. Accidents involving falls from heights, being struck by heavy machinery or objects, or a physical assault by a co-worker or third party can lead to a broken jaw. Employers must provide a safe working environment for their employees and ensure that proper safety measures are in place to prevent accidents. If they were negligent in fulfilling this duty, they could be liable for compensation in a broken jaw claim.
An assault can cause a broken jaw when a person is hit with a forceful blow to the face or head, and the impact of the strike can cause the jawbone to fracture or break. This can happen in various types of assaults, including physical altercations, domestic violence, muggings, or other criminal acts where a person is subjected to violence. If the incident occurred through no fault of your own, you might be eligible to apply for compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
A broken jaw can occur as a result of sports injuries. It is particularly common in contact sports such as football, boxing, and rugby, where players are at risk of being hit in the face by an object or another player. Additionally, sports that involve high-impact or sudden movements, such as skiing, skateboarding, or gymnastics, may also result in a broken jaw if the individual falls or collides with an object or another person.
A slip, trip, or fall can cause a person to land on their face, resulting in a broken jaw. For example, if you slip on a wet floor or uneven surface and fall face-first, you may suffer a jaw fracture upon impact. Similarly, a trip over an obstacle or falling down a flight of stairs can also lead to a broken jaw injury.
This list is not exhaustive, and any situation where there is a sudden impact on the face or head can result in a broken jaw injury. If your accident was due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, you might be able to claim broken jaw compensation.
Types of broken jaw injuries
Jaw fractures are the most common fractures of the facial region and are typically the result of trauma, such as a fall onto the chin or a hit from the side. It can be due to various incidents, including car accidents, assaults, falls, and sporting accidents. A broken jaw injury can range from a minor fracture to a severe break that requires surgery to repair. Common symptoms of a broken jaw include:
- Pain and the feeling that teeth no longer correctly meet, resulting in a misaligned bite
- Swelling and increased sensitivity
- Difficulty chewing and speaking
- Numbness and loose or damaged teeth
- Bruising and deformity
- Jaw stiffness and ear pain
There are several types of broken jaw injuries, including:
- Displaced fractures occur when the bone is broken and displaced from its normal position. This type of fracture can cause pain, swelling, and difficulty opening and closing the mouth.
- Non-displaced fractures occur when the bone is broken but remains in its normal position. Non-displaced fractures can also cause pain and difficulty opening and closing the mouth.
- Multiple fractures occur when the jaw is broken in more than one place. Multiple fractures can cause significant pain and difficulty with normal jaw function.
- Fractures involving the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the joint connecting the jawbone to the skull. Fractures involving the TMJ can cause pain and difficulty with jaw movement.
- Compound fractures occur when the broken bone pierces through the skin. Compound fractures can increase the risk of infection and might require more extensive treatment.
Regardless of the type and severity of your injury, as long as it was due to someone else’s negligence, you might be able to claim. How much compensation you can receive for a broken jaw will largely depend on the type and severity of your injury.
How is a broken jaw injury treated?
The treatment for a broken jaw depends on the severity of the injury, and in most cases, it will require medical attention. Treatment options may include:
- Wiring the jaw shut: This involves using metal wires to hold the jaw in place to allow the bones to heal properly.
- Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be required to repair the broken jaw, which may involve placing plates and screws to hold the jaw together.
- Pain relief: Pain relief medication may be prescribed to help manage pain associated with a jaw fracture.
- Eating and drinking: A broken jaw can make it difficult to eat and drink. A liquid or soft food diet may be recommended during the healing process.
- Rest and recovery: Rest is crucial to allow proper recovery. Depending on the severity of the injury, it may take several weeks or months for the jaw to heal fully.
- Physiotherapy: Physiotherapy may be recommended to help regain strength and mobility in the jaw after the injury has healed.
The time it takes for a jaw fracture to heal can vary depending on the severity of the injury and can take anywhere from six weeks to several months. You must follow your doctor’s instructions and attend all follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing and prevent complications.
Broken jaw injuries at work
Broken jaw injuries can occur in various workplaces, such as construction sites, factories, warehouses, and mines. Some common causes of broken jaw injuries at work include falls from heights, getting struck by heavy objects, and accidents involving machinery and equipment.
Your employer has a legal obligation to ensure that the workplace is safe for employees and that all necessary safety measures are in place to prevent accidents and injuries. This duty is mainly set out in The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, which states that employers should:
- Conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential hazards in the workplace;
- Take all reasonable steps to reduce the risk of harm to employees;
- Providing information, instruction, training, and supervision so that workers can carry out their duties safely;
- Ensure that the workplace and any equipment or machinery are safe for employees to use;
- Employers must provide suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) to employees where necessary and ensure it is maintained and used adequately;
- Have a procedure in place for reporting accidents, incidents, and near misses, and investigate them to prevent them from happening again;
- Keep records of any accidents, incidents, and near misses that occur in the workplace, and report severe incidents to the relevant authorities.
If you have suffered a broken jaw injury at work due to your employer’s negligence or breach of duty, you may be entitled to make a broken jaw claim.
What will the compensation for a broken jaw cover?
Compensation for a broken jaw can cover various aspects, such as medical expenses, loss of income, pain and suffering and aims to help the victim get their life back on track as much as possible after the accident. It is also intended to hold the responsible party accountable for their actions and deter them from engaging in similar behaviour in the future.
The exact coverage and amount of broken jaw compensation will depend on the specific circumstances of the case. Your solicitor will base your final settlement award on two types of damages:
Special damages are awarded to compensate the victim for the financial losses incurred as a direct result of the injury. These may include:
- Medical costs such as prescriptions, interventions and diagnostic tests
- Travel costs for medical and legal appointments
- Care costs during recovery, if you were unable to perform usual daily activities on your own
- Any loss of income or earning potential resulting from the injury
- Any other expenses related to the injury, so you should keep all receipts and documents that can help outline the extent of the financial losses to help assess how much compensation for a broken jaw you might be entitled to receive
General damages are awarded to compensate the victim for non-financial losses, and the amount you could receive will depend on the severity of the injury and its impact on your life, such as:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life and reduced life quality
- Psychological and emotional trauma resulting from the injury, such as anxiety and depression
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of reputation
- Loss of consortium
The purpose of compensation for a broken jaw is to provide financial assistance to the victim to help them cope with the physical, emotional, and economic impact of the injury. Your solicitor will ensure all your losses are included in your broken jaw claim and will fight to secure the best settlement on your behalf.
How much compensation for a broken jaw could I receive?
Each case is different, so it is difficult to tell the value of your claim from the beginning. How much compensation for a broken jaw you could receive can vary widely depending on several factors, including the severity of the injury, the impact on your quality of life, and other factors listed above.
In general, compensation for a broken jaw can range from a few thousand pounds for a minor injury with no ongoing effects to tens of thousands of pounds for a more severe injury resulting in long-term disability and a significant impact on the quality of life. The compensation awards are based on the guidelines published by the Judicial College, which is part of the Ministry of Justice. Below are some examples of compensation ranges for jaw injuries provided by them:
- £6,460 to £8,730 for simple fractures that may require some immobilisation, but a complete recovery is expected
- £17,960 to £30,490 for a severely broken jaw causing permanent symptoms like difficulty opening the mouth, eating or paraesthesia
- £30,490 to £45,540 for very severe jaw fractures that require prolonged treatment and will cause permanent effects like severe chronic pain, eating restrictions and risk of arthritis
- £5,860 to £19,070 for moderate psychiatric damage with almost complete recovery
- £19,070 to £54,830 for severe psychiatric damage making it difficult to cope with daily life
- £9,110 to £30,090 for facial disfigurement partially corrected by plastic surgery
- £29,780 to £97,330 when the victim is not older than in their 30s and the broken jaw injury has caused severe disfigurement and psychological trauma
To learn more about how much compensation for a broken jaw you could be entitled to, call 0800 678 1410 today to arrange a free consultation with a legal adviser.
Time limits for claiming broken jaw compensation
In the UK, the general time limit for making a personal injury claim, including for a broken jaw, is three years from the date of the accident that caused the injury. If you do not start a broken jaw claim before the limitation date, your case will likely become statute-barred, and you will lose your right to compensation.
However, there are several exceptions to the three-year time limit to claim compensation for a broken jaw, such as:
- If the injured person is a child, the time limit only starts to run once they turn 18, from which point they will have until their 21st birthday to claim. A suitable adult could seek compensation on their behalf in the meantime at any point, regardless of when they were injured.
- If the injured person cannot handle their case, the time limit is suspended until they regain their mental capacity. Similarly, a litigation friend could pursue broken jaw compensation on their behalf while they are incapacitated.
- If you or a loved one were injured outside the UK, the time limit could depend on the laws of the abroad country and be much shorter than three years.
- If your broken jaw claim is related to a criminal assault or another violent crime, the CICA requires you to start proceedings within two years of an incident and after reporting it to the police.
- If you want to seek compensation for a broken jaw acquired while serving in the military, there is a seven-year time limit to claim through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS).
If you are considering making a broken jaw claim, speaking with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible is essential to guarantee you meet the time limits. This will also simplify the process of collating evidence and ensure that any relevant details are still fresh in your mind.
Can I make a claim on a No Win No Fee basis?
Yes, claiming compensation for a broken jaw on a No Win No Fee basis is possible. If your case has merit and a fair chance of success, your solicitor will offer you legal representation without asking for any upfront fees. This way, you can seek damages regardless of your financial situation and without taking any risks.
With a conditional fee agreement, you only pay your personal injury lawyer if your claim is successful and they secure the compensation you deserve. In this case, your solicitor will receive a success fee that is capped at 25% of your settlement and agreed upon with them in advance. If your case fails, you will not lose a single penny.
In a No Win No Fee claim, you are also financially protected by the After the Event (ATE) insurance policy your solicitor will take at the start of your broken jaw claim. The ATE is a legal expenses insurance that covers all the costs and disbursements incurred while pursuing broken jaw compensation, such as:
- The defendant’s solicitor fees
- Court and counsel fees
- The cost of police and medical reports
- Expert witness fees
- Paralegal and other staff time
- Travel expenses related to the claims process
Just like your solicitor’s fees, you only have to cover the ATE insurance premium if you receive compensation for your broken jaw. Otherwise, the policy is self-insuring, and you will not be left out of pocket.
To find out if you could benefit from a No Win No Fee service, you can consult with a legal adviser by calling free on 0800 678 1410. Alternatively, you can complete our online claim form to receive a no-obligation call back.